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Pope Benedict speaking about liturgical developments
Topic Started: Friday, 17. August 2012, 23:21 (297 Views)
Penfold
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garfield
Tuesday, 21. August 2012, 09:06
Parish music has to make use of what there is available in the parish, if there is an accomplished organist and a music director with the time, talent and resources to put together a choir and learn Gregorian chant then that is good but how many parishes can do that
There are no harmonies with Gregorian Chant and so even the least tuneful can be taught to chant the words to a very limited range of musical notation, very little skill involved. The Ave Verum referred to earlier was probably this one by Mozart;

http://youtu.be/DsUWFVKJwBM

and does need a choir and musicians to perform it reverently. A lot will depend on the leadership and courage of the PP but in most parishes their are musicians who can be galvanised into a small music group who can lead the congregation in singing. Courage because the Old Guard will not like seeing the faithful organist usurped by a guitar swinging folk group, but such does not need to happen. The choice is not trad or folk, both modern and traditional music can be successfully incorporated into the same Mass. Many Trad hymns are actually well suited to accompaniment on a guitar and a small orchestra can add wonders to a modern tune, as George Martin demonstrated with the Beatles.
Start small, a few youngsters playing the recorder in a school mass but among them there will be a few learning the Piano and other instruments, many people have hidden musical talents it just requires a small add in the Parish Newsletter, a plan of action and within a short time even a rural parish can have a small music group and choir. I know because I have created 4 such groups over the years and have friends who have done the same. The secret is to work with the organist and old guard by building the group around a particular celebration such as the Carol Service, the Easter Vigil or possibly the idea of a monthly Family/Children's Mass. As the group grows in ability it can be used more and more in the main stream with an almost seamless transition that will ruffle few feathers. Their talent and the improved liturgy will soon quieten the harshest critics.
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Mairtin
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Penfold
Tuesday, 21. August 2012, 12:07
Many Trad hymns are actually well suited to accompaniment on a guitar
My favourite rendition of one of my favourite hymns, just a beautiful singer and a simple guitar accompaniment.



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garfield

We have two guitar players who play for Mass once a month, mainly traditional hymns with a few more modern ones depending on the season and they sound very good and people enjoy singing with them
The rest of the time, since our organist retired, we have a computerised organ to sing along to which we are getting better at. We used to have a choir but they disbanded when the musical director left, the best singers were rapidly 'poached' by another parish.
Music does add something important to the Mass, I have to say that I've only ever come across Gregorian chant in a monastery about 20 years ago, I've never heard it in a parish Sunday Mass.
Edited by garfield, Wednesday, 22. August 2012, 08:25.
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